View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How far down does the mountain reach?

2. What is the name of the gardener with whom Ishtar falls in love?

3. Who does Siduri say is the only person able to cross the sea to Utnapishtim?

4. What is Enkidu transformed into in order to journey to the underworld?

5. How many poles does Gilgamesh use to push the boat across the sea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Boasts and oaths before battle are common in epics. Gilgamesh offers such a boast before he battles Humbaba. Discuss the elements of the heroic boast. Why are such boasts performed? To what narrative technique are boasts similar?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of women in the Gilgamesh epic. The courtesan functions to lead Enkidu out of the woods and introduce him to civilization. This could be considered a good event or a bad event. Ishtar becomes enraged when Gilgamesh spurns her love. Ishtar does not easily let her anger go and calls down terrible curses on Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

Essay Topic 3

Gilgamesh has been on a great journey since he first met Enkidu. Enkidu is Gilgamesh's equal and the two have great adventures. However, Enkidu also represents the qualities that Gilgamesh lacks. Discuss Gilgamesh's journey to discover his own weaknesses and how he does or does not learn to accept them.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 261 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample